Texas Keeps Its Eyes Focused on Kentucky in SEC Battle

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There's little doubt that the No. 3-ranked Texas Longhorns (9-1, 5-1 Southeastern Conference) want to avoid looking beyond their Senior Night conference game 3:30 p.m . EST on Nov. 23 against the Kentucky Wildcats (4-6, 1-6). The Longhorns realize they need to take care of business even with a Nov. 30 showdown against No. 15 Texas A&M (8-2, 5-1) looming in the distance.

Don't believe for one minute that Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian will let his Longhorns not be focused on the task at hand.

"I love these guys," he said at his weekly press conference on Nov. 18, Inside Texas reported. "They put forth a lot of effort, they work their tails off, but yet we have fun doing what we get to do.

"And that starts with the leadership on those guys, the Jahdae Barron's, the Barryn Sorrell's, the Jake Majors', the Hayden Conner's, those guys lead the charge," Sarkisian said. "And for us to empower them to be able to do that, and then them to take the reins and go do that, is super cool to see."

Barron Boosts Texas Defense

Speaking of Barron, the defensive back was almost flying around all over the football field on Nov. 16 in the Longhorns' 20-10 road win over the Arkansas Razorbacks (5-5, 3-4). Barron notched his fourth interception, putting him atop the SEC lead in that category. Barron also finds himself seventh in INTs nationally. He also had a couple of key tackles that stopped Arkansas from advancing further down the field.

Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers had 2 touchdown passes against Arkansas. In the game, Ewers tried hitting his receivers on long pass plays but they didn't pan out successfully. Still, don't expect Sarkisian and his offense to shy away from the deep ball.

"We never call them just for the sake of calling them," Sarkisian said, Inside Texas reported. "We're calling them for a reason, and as long as the quarterback understands why we're doing what we're doing. And Quinn feels confident, and what we're doing, we take those shots when they're there."

Looking at the team aspect that Sarkisian and his staff have worked hard to create, the Longhorns head coach noted how much he enjoys being around his players.

"These guys are having a blast, and that's what makes this team so fun to be around and so special," he said, according to A to Z Sports beat reporter Brian Davis. "They're truly a team. We're not an offense, a defense and special teams. These guys are in it together."

Stoops Sizes Up Longhorns

Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops is quite aware of the test awaiting his Wildcats at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas.

“There’s no weaknesses on this team,” Stoops said on Nov. 18. “The eye test—they’re as strong as anybody in the country. Tell me one group. You look at them offensively—dynamic play caller and a great coach. O-line is completely solid. Running backs, two great ones, maybe, probably more. Probably four, you know what I mean.”

Stoops also had some thoughts on Texas' creative play-calling style. It's obvious that he has done some homework on the Longhorns during the Wildcats' bye week.

“Creative. You hear the word ‘eye candy’ thrown around a lot in press conferences,” Stoops said. “But, dynamic. He does a great job of marrying the run and the pass. And then a fantastic job in the screen game off all that. So you’re thinking run, you’re thinking play action pass, and they come back to a screen. He ties it together as good as anybody.”

Sarkisian did have some thoughts about what might be a busy leaderboard among teams with two losses in the SEC standings.

"Two years ago, we were at the mercy of other teams dictating our fate and our future," he said, according to Texas play-by-play voice Craig Way. "Last year, we said we're going to control our own destiny, and we're trying to sing that same song."

In a couple of other notes, Sarkisian was asked about the first play from scrimmage that the Kansas City Chiefs ran against the Buffalo Bills in their 30-21 loss in Orchard Park, N.Y. on Nov. 17.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes took a snap, then steered a misdirection play that looked quite familiar to one the Texas offense has run.

"Let me tell you something," Sarkisian said. "I've copied way more plays from (Kansas City head coach) Andy Reid than Andy Reid's ever copied from some Steve Sarkisian."

Also, on Nov. 18, a game time was released for the Lone Star Showdown between Texas and the Aggies. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. EST on Nov. 30 at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas. It will be the nighttime "SEC on ABC" featured contest, which means Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit probably will be calling the game.